WAUKEGAN, IL –The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited AB Specialty Silicones LLC for 12 willful federal safety violations after four employees suffered fatal injuries in an explosion and fire at the company's Waukegan, Illinois, plant on May 3, 2019. The company faces $1,591,176 in penalties. OSHA has placed the silicon chemical products manufacturer in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

SUMMERTOWN, TN – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Shaffer Farms Custom Meats LLC and Shaffer Farms Texas Bar-B-Q restaurant has paid $69,514 in back wages and liquidated damages to 21 employees for violating the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), TR Sales Plantation – a real estate developer in North Augusta, South Carolina – has paid $27,959 in back wages to eight employees for overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

GRANITE FALLS, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Granite Falls Seafood Inc. – operating as Captain’s Galley Seafood Restaurant – will pay $21,974 in back wages and liquidated damages to eight employees for violating minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The employer also paid a civil penalty of $1,751 for FLSA child labor violations.

BAY COUNTY, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Kajkunj Inc  and Ram Duhn LLC – two convenience stores and gas stations based in Bay County, Florida – will pay $28,724 in back wages and liquidated damages to employees for minimum wage, overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In the week ending October 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 212,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 4,000 from 214,000 to 218,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 1,000 from 214,750 to 215,750.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for its Job Corps Scholars Program demonstration project. Through the program, the Department intends to competitively award up to 20 grants to accredited, two-year, public community colleges; accredited, public two- and four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCU); and accredited tribally controlled colleges and universities (TCCU) to serve Job Corps-eligible youth and young adults 16 to 24 years of age.

HAGATNA, GU – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), WMJ Inc. – doing business as Guam Home Center in Dededo, Guam – will pay $48,046 to 39 employees for violating the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

ROCK HILL, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Houston Enterprises Inc. – operator of 13 Subway franchises – with headquarters in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has paid a $5,802 civil penalty for violating federal child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

OPELIKA, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BH Media Group Inc. for exposing employees to amputation hazards after an employee suffered an injury at the Opelika, Alabama, facility. The company faces $145,858 in penalties.

CLEVELAND, OH – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has sentenced Brian K. Carder and Paul Love – former managers at Extrudex Aluminum’s plant in North Jackson, Ohio – after each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice charges. The court’s action follows an investigation by the U.S.

FLORISSANT, MO – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Helia Healthcare – doing business as Pillars of North County – has agreed to pay $42,696 in back wages to 99 current and former nursing staff employed at the long-term care facility in Florissant, Missouri. WHD investigators found violations of the overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

BAYONET POINT, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning LLC – based in Bayonet Point, Florida – has paid $33,795 in back wages and liquidated damages to 57 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – Consistent with President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 13847, Strengthening Retirement Security in America, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced a proposed rule to allow online retirement plan disclosures to reduce printing and mail expenses for job creators and make disclosures more readily accessible and useful for America’s workers.

WILMINGTON, NC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Care Providers of Wilmington Inc. – a healthcare agency based in Wilmington, North Carolina – has paid $90,640 in back wages and liquidated damages to 21 employees for violating minimum wage, overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PENNSAUKEN, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has again cited Aruvil International Inc. for multiple workplace violations – including four willful safety citations - at the company's Pennsauken, New Jersey, facility. The commercial and residential fencing company faces $370,298 in penalties.

MARTIN, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mike Krueger – doing business as Altogether Roofing in Martin, Ohio – for exposing employees to fall hazards. The contractor faces penalties totaling $247,544 for willful, repeated and serious violations of OSHA standards at construction sites in Toledo and Perrysburg, Ohio.

PEMBROKE PINES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Westwind Contracting Inc. for exposing employees to excavation and confined spaces hazards after a fatality at a Pembroke Pines, Florida, work site. The contractor faces $185,239 in penalties.

AUBURN, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Strahle + Hess USA Inc. for exposing employees to amputation hazards at the company’s Auburn, Alabama, facility. The auto parts manufacturer faces $140,554 in penalties.

SHARON CENTER, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Flambeau Inc. for exposing employees to amputation and other serious hazards at its Sharon Center, Ohio plant. OSHA has proposed $208,562 in penalties, and placed the company in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.